Minelab hopes the new Dubai facility will ensure the authenticity of its brand in the region. Metal-detecting technologies provider Minelab has opened a new facility in Dubai as part of a US$2mn investment recognising Dubai’s value as a strategic hub for its gold business in the Middle East and North Africa

Minelab MEA General Trading LLC is intended to act as a regional base and well-connected transit hub for Africa thereby ensuring good access and availability of Minelab products to customers.

Peter Charlesworth, Minelab Electronics general manager, said, “This new facility is an exciting strategic development for our business.

“We look forward to working closely with our excellent network based in Dubai, welcoming our Middle East and African customers to our new facility and meeting them in the field while building on the tremendous success of our anti-counterfeit campaigns with the support of the Dubai Department of Economic Development and Dubai Police.”

According to the 30-year old company, a boom in small mining activity has led to counterfeit manufacturers illegally producing fraudulent mining products and targeting artisanal gold mining communities.

In June 2013, counterfeit Minelab-branded products with an estimated market value of US$1.6mn were reportedly seized from a makeshift factory. While in August last year counterfeit Minelab products with a potential market cost of US$9.7mn were discovered in Ajman, the UAE.

The company has stated that it believes Dubai to be the ideal location for its new facility as it will help ensure the authenticity of its products and brands and subsequently protect customer interests.

According to Minelab, its customers have achieved significant finds using its products, such as a 3kg nugget in Libya that was valued at US$100,000, and a 1.8kg nugget uncovered in Burkina Faso.